I am sitting on my bed on a lovely Brno Sunday afternoon. I just got back from the store with my new friend Alaine from Wisconsin, and I am EXHAUSTED! Going to the big grocery store (especially the bigger one that is farther away) is a big deal, requiring a good deal of time on a bus carrying all your groceries. Now I understand why people go grocery shopping every day or so and just get a small amount at a time. You never see people here with bags full of groceries like you do in America. Well, being an American, I did have bags full of groceries. Alaine and I got a little confused with the buses, but now we definitely know how to get there. The best way to learn the bus/tram station is to figure it out on your own, which sometimes entails getting a little lost and waiting forever in the cold for a bus.

! We went to the Macocha caves (http://www.moravskykras.net/en/macocha-abyss.html) and Vyskok Brewery. It was a little tough to get up in the morning, due to the late night pub crawl on Friday, but it was soo worth it. The pictures I took do not do the caves justice at all...I have never seen stalactites and stalagmites that were that big before. It was actually warmer in the caves then it was outside, which was nice. The coolest part was when we got to take a boat through the caves. The water was lighted from underneath, giving it an eerie green effect. Some parts were 40 meters (120 feet) deep! The tour guide was funny; when we first got on the boat he said, "Be careful, there are many opportunities to break your head!" That was definitely true, you had to duck every few feet.

Next, we went to the Vyskok Brewery (http://www.pivovary.info/prehled/vyskov/vyskov_e.htm. The bus ride took about an hour and it was veeery quiet, because everyone passed out after the caves. The brewery was nothing special to look at, but it was very, very cool inside. We got to not only see all of the processes that beer goes through, but we got to taste all of the individual components as well. So here is my official warning to all of you (three) readers: DO NOT EAT HOPS! THEY ARE BITTER AND DISGUSTING AND YOU WILL HATE THEM. The tour guide tried to warn me but I didn't listen of course...the other parts of the beer like the corn and grain were good though.

The best part was, of course, the tasting! Usually I hate the foam on beer, but here it was actually really delicious. The Czechs like their beer with a lot of foam on top, and when the beer is this fresh I like it too. The dark beer was especially yummy...it tasted like the perfect blend of coffee, sugar and beer

After this long day I was exhausted, so I didn't go out last night. Instead I got maaany hours of sleep, which was much needed! Today it is really cold and snowy, so I think I might have a nice day in. I always say that then end up going out...that's what happens when beer is cheaper than water!

Comments

It sounds like you're having so much fun!! The cave looks beautiful. It is funny how different our grocery-shopping habits are. I had to explain the tiny refrigerators to my family as a cultural difference. I'm glad you're getting more comfortable with the bus system, that will be so liberating! I love you!